Position Sense, Balance, and Dual Task Performance at the Menstrual Cycle in Females With Multiple Sclerosis

The aim of this study was to investigation of knee position sense, balance, and dual task performance in different phases of menstrual cycle in females with multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting young people and leading to demyelination and neurodegeneration. MS affects females more than males with a ratio approximately of 3:1. Important gender differences in progression and inflammatory activity of disease have been observed. Sex hormones have been thought to play an important role in this condition. It is worth noting however that sex hormones not only affect reproduction (menses/pregnancy), they also have direct effects on the nervous and immune system. In the neurologic group, especially in MS patients, it is well known that disease activity, course, and symptoms can be influenced by hormonal fluctuations in different phases of the menstrual cycle. Previous studies have reported that the variation of estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle may have an effect on several neurological functions. However, these studies are mostly subjective, in the form of patient reports and in limited numbers. Smith and Studd reported that there was a premenstrual increase in disease severity as changes in the Th-1 / Th-2 balance occurred in association with decreased circulating estrogen. Withdrawal of hormones from damaged tissues that affect axonal conduction can explain the change in disease activity, course symptoms during the menstrual cycle in female with MS. For all these reasons,investigators think that different phases of menstrual cycle change position sense, balance, and dual task performance in females with MS. Considering hormonal fluctuations occurring in the menstrual cycle, is an important criterion for organizing the rehabilitation program and evaluation in terms of physiotherapy.